A review of paediatric admissions to a general intensive therapy unit over a 13-year period

Paediatric intensive care in a district general hospital

Five years' experience of paediatric intensive care in a district general hospital were analysed retrospectively. A total of 54 infants and children required respiratory support during this time--21 on a high dependency area of the children's ward and 33 on a general intensive care unit. Forty two (78%) of the patients survived, and 33 (61%) of the patients required respiratory support within four hours of admission, thus the experience of the local paediatric and anaesthetic team was crucial to the management of these children. Good intensive care for children can be provided within a district general hospital.